Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Embalo Seeks Second Term, Sparks Controversy

Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of Guinea-Bissau, announced his candidacy for a second term, reversing his earlier promise to step down. His decision may heighten tensions given conflicts regarding the election schedule and term duration. New elections are now set for November 30, 2023, delayed from their original date due to financial issues.

Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the President of Guinea-Bissau, announced on Monday that he intends to seek re-election in November. This decision contradicts previous pledges he made to step down at the end of his current term. His announcement raises concerns amidst ongoing disputes regarding the election timeline and the end of his tenure.

After returning from a trip that included stops in Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, Embalo stated at the airport, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.” His administration is currently facing friction with the political opposition regarding the actual end date of his five-year term, initiated in 2020. The opposition contends that his term ended in late February, whereas the Supreme Court has determined it concludes on September 4.

Adding to the discontent, Embalo indicated that the presidential and legislative elections would now be held on November 30, 2023, as opposed to their original schedule of November 2024. These parliamentary elections have faced postponements, attributed to technical and financial difficulties, significantly affecting the electoral timeline.

Embalo expressed intentions to engage in discussions with political parties regarding the upcoming elections before issuing a presidential decree. As a former army general at the age of 52, Embalo took office amid a history of political instability in Guinea-Bissau, a nation troubled by coups since its independence from Portugal in 1974.

The president has claimed that there were two attempted coups during his presidency, the most recent occurring in December 2023. Interestingly, he had previously mentioned that his wife discouraged him from pursuing a second term.

The developments surrounding Embalo’s candidacy and the elections are likely to heighten the political tension within this West African nation, a place long-affected by governmental strife.

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s decision to run for a second term significantly shifts the political landscape in Guinea-Bissau, contrasting his earlier commitment to step down. Tensions are likely to escalate with unresolved disputes over the election timeline, particularly given the postponed elections and the opposition’s claims regarding the end of his term. As elections approach, the political climate remains uncertain amid lasting unrest in the nation.

Original Source: www.usnews.com